Simon Gort

Mind The Gap How can we support a more regular and relevant approach to teacher development?

How we’ve tried to make professional development more regular and relevant

open.substack.com/pub/shaunall...

"..the proposed changes to the #Ofsted framework feel like a kick in the teeth. We're already under enormous pressure, balancing the needs of our students with increasingly limited resources. More accountability, more high-stakes scrutiny won’t solve the recruitment and retention crisis."

#ASCL2025

Agree with this. We need to help teachers make better decisions not make the decisions for them. This isn't just being nice. Prescription usually doesn't work beyond basic agreed stuff around procedural routines. Even these will be subverted if people don't understand the reasons.

Absolutely! Can never forget the shock and horror of this scene.

Woefully inadequate. @ascl-uk.bsky.social’s reaction to today’s news - www.ascl.org.uk/News/Our-new...

Remember the verbal feedback stamps (guilty as charged!) but that is something else! 😳

Yep, have become too over-reliant on streaming.

Conjured up some good memories of the 90s to be fair but also the advent of where it all went wrong, particularly the coke-fuelled sexism and Britpop.

Unless you’ve got assessments and tracking due on Monday! ☹️

Been looking for this on streaming services for ages.

Enjoy! His album with Jon Hopkins is absolute gem.

Yup. 😔

Look on the positives. Today is ice throwing day. At least you might not have to deal with that. 😬

The worst kind! Not enough to close the school but just enough for teachers to face questions about the possibility of closing the school. 😂

a poster for solo star wars story with han solo ALT: a poster for solo star wars story with han solo

I’m more of a Solo and Sean Connery kind of guy.

Curriculum: Becky Francis reveals ‘emerging themes’ from review Teachers feel “disempowered and deprofessionalised by overstipulation and the challenge to cover content” in the curriculum, Professor Becky Francis has said

Obviously due to some of the factors you cite but doesn’t negate the view that some staff and students find the current curriculum problematic and change is necessary. It appears that may the thinking of others too. schoolsweek.co.uk/becky-franci...

Wouldn’t disagree with much said here but I do think the experience of the GCSE lit curriculum is also a significant factor. English teachers often speak of the sheer volume of content and challenge of embedding knowledge that leaves students exhausted and less disposed to study further.

Excellent thread. What intrigues me is that @ofstednews.bsky.social will be well aware of this evidence yet are continuing in a direction that ignores this. One can only conclude that this is wilful denialism to suit an entrenched ideology. 🤷‍♂️

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I initially wanted to be an actor but was worried about likely periods of unemployment. Teaching offered more stability but includes aspects of performance.

The leak is correct. Deeply concerning.

a man wearing a hat and glasses is looking at something ALT: a man wearing a hat and glasses is looking at something

Surely anything that follows the mighty Paddington 2 is bound to be a disappointment?

Great idea!

Gotta love Yorkshire!

I’ll raise you…

The flawed concept of grading schools remains hardwired into Ofsted; it’s in their DNA. A report card system clearly isn’t going to change things. They can’t be reformed so must be replaced. But I don’t think the political will to start that conversation exists.

Much appreciated. Will do.

I’d also that’s a great question and (to you) you must doing something right! 👏

Will you record it? 🙏

It’s where I started my teaching career. Great school!

YouTube video by Mega Nega "Ace of Spades" (easy listening version)

Could be worse… youtu.be/o_ldOCVyAVg?...